2020 continues to bring us twists and turns that none of us expected or requested! How are you doing? As one friend of mine likes to ask, how’s your soul? The CGGC is a diverse family: I’ve got brothers and sisters who are hopeful these days and others who are despairing, some who feel anxiety fading and others who feel it rising. I think it’s safe to say that we’re all probably more than a little bit weary!
This week my own readings took me through 1 Kings chapter 3 where God presented Solomon with quite an opportunity: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (verse 5). I wonder how we’d answer such a question if it were presented to us today? It sure would be tempting to ask for a political outcome that suits my ideology. It would be human-nature to think of things like wealth or long life. I mean, the Steelers are 7-0 right now… perhaps the Lord has asked some of our brothers and sisters in western Pennsylvania this question recently and granted their request!
Solomon asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3:9). “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” The next verse tells us that the Lord was pleased with this response. You know the story: God granted Solomon’s request and also gave him wealth and honor that far exceeded that of anyone else on the face of the earth. His wisdom exceeded the wisdom of everyone who has ever walked the earth.
I think there is something about seeking wisdom that pleases the heart of our Father. In James 1:5 we find this promise: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” It appears God is eager to give wisdom to those who will come to Him and seek His wisdom.
Brothers and sisters, we need to be asking our Father for wisdom for these days that we’re living through. None of us have ever been here before. While it might be tempting to ask for other things, I think our greatest need these days is our need for Godly wisdom and discernment.
Not only do we need wisdom, but we need to be asking God to be gracious with those who lead us, whomever they may be, and give them the wisdom to lead well.
Amid our emotions and our weariness, let’s be asking God to pour out His wisdom because it’s what we need most right now. We need God and His wisdom. He is the source of the flourishing we desire.
Christ’s Peace,
Lance
CGGC eNews—Vol. 14, No. 45